This article reviews the product called Women’s Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Thinning and Loss. This topical aerosol foam contains one main active ingredient Minoxidil which the manufacturer claims addresses both male thinning hair and female androgenetic alopecia (hair thinning around the crown and part, as well as a receding hairline). Minoxidil  is an in-house clinically-tested ingredient that only this manufacturer have tested – there have been no 3rd party testing to ascertain objective results. Aside from Minoxidil, Rogaine contains many inactive ingredients which not only appear unhelpful, have been linked to a variety of negative side effects such as blurry vision and scalp irritation which is definitely a red flag for us. 

Ingredients

Active ingredient:

• Minoxidil 5% w/w (without propellant).

Inactive ingredients:

• Butane, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, citric acid, glycerin, isobutane, lactic acid, polysorbate 60, propane, purified water, SD alcohol 40-B, stearyl alcohol

Dosage

Apply half a capful, once daily, directly to the scalp in the area where hair loss is noticeable and massage into scalp with fingers, then wash hands well. It does not specify if you leave it in or rinse it out later.

Side Effects

There are many side effects with this product. Some of them include: blurry vision, scalp irritation, itchiness or redness, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, faintness, or dizziness, sudden, unexplained weight gain, swelling of the hands or feet, unwanted facial hair growth.

Price

The price of this product ranges depending on how many canisters you buy. The cheapest package is for two bottles which costs: $27.49 and the most expensive costs $148.47 for a supply of 12 months. The manufacturer offers a 20% discount to subscribers to its Rewards Program.

Guarantee

The manufacturer offers a Satisfaction Guarantee that becomes valid only after 120 days of continued daily use. If customers are dissatisfied, they can expect a replacement or a refund up to $94.00 (including tax). There are several reviews for this product on the manufacturer’s website, unfortunately, many were negative. We noted several unhappy customers who experienced blurry vision, irritation and itching on the scalp, while others complained that the foam came out more like a liquid that was sticky and hard to apply.  

Conclusion

While it would appear that this product has both advantages and disadvantages, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits therefore placing it in our #5 position. 

First of all, we found this manufacturer’s website very misleading. On the one hand it claims that it can help people from the very first application, while in the other, it states that you need to use it for 3-6 months to see results. This is unclear. 

We didn’t like the fact that it contains only one main active ingredient Minoxidil, which has been clinically tested primarily by the company. Upon further explorations, we found that these tests were undertaken on men only, so how do we know if it would even be effective on women? We were alarmed to learn that Minoxidil was first developed to treat ulcers and high blood pressure. Additionally, The American Hair Loss Association does not recommend Minoxidil as the first line of attack for men suffering with male pattern baldness. Minoxidil is known to have many side effects and this product does come with a warning on the label that cautions those consumers that they may experience chest pain, rapid heartbeat, faintness, or dizziness, sudden, unexplained weight gain, swelling of the hands or feet, scalp irritation or redness or unwanted facial hair growth. We also read many negative reviews of people complaining of ineffectiveness, messiness, blurry vision, itchiness and irritation not to mention that they didn’t get the results that they had hoped for. 

We felt that the best thing about this product was the manufacturer’s name! When picked apart, you can see it for what it really is – a glorified mousse for volumizing hair. If you’re looking for added volume to your existing hair you may want to try this. If not it will be just an expensive mousse that could cause a whole host of side effects. Buyer beware.

Click here to learn about our Top Hair Growth Treatment Products.